My Turn: Al American Stout

About the Brewer:
This one is brewed in memoriam of our beloved friend and co-worker, Al: the best damn Warehouse Manager a brewery could’ve asked for. If you didn’t see Al at his desk reviewing upcoming shipments, you’d find him in the cooler, at the helm of a forklift, zipping around with pallets of beer and keeping inventory neat and tidy.

More so than inventory management and nimble forklift maneuvering, Al is remembered as devoted family man and avid sports fan. Between being Uncle Al to his 16 nephews and nieces, he enjoyed poring over the sports pages of his Chicago Tribune and diving nose deep into Tom Landry’s autobiography.

About the Beer:
Al liked stouts. During occasional after-hours beer sharing sessions, Al would typically decline the latest designer-hop IPAs, or fruit-salad kettle sours, but he never said no to a stout. If he found one he liked, he’d let you know with, “That’s remarkable!” or, “This is extraordinary.”

With that in mind, we thought this straightforward American Stout was right up Al’s alley. This inky black, full-bodied ale loads up on rich, roasted malt chocolateness and robust caramel malt toffeeness. Bigger and brasher than its European counterparts, the American hop additions help keep malt sweetness in check.